Going natural after surgery

[Nathan74 (imported)]

I had my orchiectomy last year during late spring. I did TRT for a while and then I tried HRT. I'm back on TRT and I'm considering stopping and going natural for a while to check it out. So far I've never experienced the natural effects of castration without being on depo provera or androcur, which isn't the same. I skipped my last TRT injection and I'm thinking about continuing to let it flush out of my body and test it out for a while. I expect some sleep problems which I already take time release melatonin for. I want to see how well I tolerate it after going back on hormones for a few years. The money savings alone is a big reason for wanting to stop. Fatigue and brain fog are issues. In the past I didn't get that until I got covid which led me back to taking hormones again. I didn't have any cholesterol or blood sugar issues with very low T until Covid either which turned into long Covid for a few years before going away.

I already feel a difference as my T level falls. My normal T level was about 700 on TRT so by now 350 is where it should be. I just read that it takes 6-7 to fully clean up.

[WheelyFixed]

You have probably seen me say it before, and likely will see it again... But it is vital, especially if going natural, to keep an eye on your bone health - get a 'baseline' Dexa scan and repeats for monitoring as often as your insurance will let you...

Osteopenia / Osteoporosis is something that you don't get over from significantly so you want to prevent it, and hormones are a big part of that....

I had to agree w/ being on some sort of HRT (T or E) for life before my doc would agree to let me be but I'm already at high risk because of my SCI, so they had extra reason for caution. However the concern applies to everyone.

WheelyFixed

[erikboy (imported)]

Testosterone biological half life in blood serum is just 30-45 minutes. It is testosterone receptors that do not release testosterone too quick and testosterone molecules keep clinging to much longer. Androcur works really quick as it tries to attach to testosterone receptors and blocks them from testosterone. Androcur competes with testosterone.

So your T levels, if measured, should be very low already. That is how patches work, they release testosterone constantly through skin, keeping levels steady.

[FloridaEunuch (imported)]

I used testosterone cypionate weekly injections for several years before stopping last January. At least for me, it took a couple of months for my level to drop to the point that erections stopped. As far as long term bone health, it's quite a conundrum. My doctor doesn't think a small testosterone dose is protective when my E2 level in nonexistent. Most peoples bodies convert testosterone to estrogen and from my understanding, it's actually the estrogen that is protective.

[WheelyFixed]

I used testosterone cypionate weekly injections for several years before stopping last January. At least for me, it took a couple of months for my level to drop to the point that erections stopped. As far as long term bone health, it's quite a conundrum. My doctor doesn't think a small testosterone dose is protective when my E2 level in nonexistent. Most peoples bodies convert testosterone to estrogen and from my understanding, it's actually the estrogen that is protective.

That is largely my understanding as well, which is why I always say "T or E" when talking about hormones... Basically the two are pretty much interchangeable in terms of bone health (and also the mental health issues reportedly) so we get to pick between 'manly man' and to some degree... I'm not happy about the breast growth I've had on E (many others love it...) but it isn't so much as to be a problem for me...

WheelyFixed

[FloridaEunuch (imported)]

That is largely my understanding as well, which is why I always say "T or E" when talking about hormones... Basically the two are pretty much interchangeable in terms of bone health (and also the mental health issues reportedly) so we get to pick between 'manly man' and to some degree... I'm not happy about the breast growth I've had on E (many others love it...) but it isn't so much as to be a problem for me...

WheelyFixed

I tried estrogen for a few months and was pretty happy with the way I felt. I didn't have any breast development in that short time, but could feel it was about to happen. In the past I wasn't too crazy with the prospect of having breasts, but I can accept that it will happen. I had intended on staying the course, but Florida changed laws and all of my refills were canceled. Now I have a whole set of new hoops to jump through before I can get prescribed. For the most part providers don't even want to prescribe and those that specialize in gender half very long waiting lists.

[WheelyFixed]

I tried estrogen for a few months and was pretty happy with the way I felt. I didn't have any breast development in that short time, but could feel it was about to happen. In the past I wasn't too crazy with the prospect of having breasts, but I can accept that it will happen. I had intended on staying the course, but Florida changed laws and all of my refills were canceled. Now I have a whole set of new hoops to jump through before I can get prescribed. For the most part providers don't even want to prescribe and those that specialize in gender half very long waiting lists.

OUCH! I'd heard something about FL causing problems for minors in transition, didn't know that it also hit consenting adults... (Refraining from political comment about this, I don't want to upset LT (again... )) Good luck in finding a path through those new hoops!

WheelyFixed

[photoglenn (imported)]

I was having emotional distress while using the prescribed dose of TRT; I stopped it for a month and feet much better and had no withdrawal symptoms, although maybe I did not wait long enough as I read that some synthetic TRT takes up to 44 days to purge from your body, depending on how much, and how long you used it and your body chemistry.

Anyway I started it up again and am having awful emotional distress.

I can only compare it to having too much caffeine, but completely different as I feel very sexually wanting, but being castrated and having no erections or ability to orgasm I am very sexually frustrated now.

So, I have again stopped using TRT and will continue to do so for the next 2 or 3 months, to see how my body adapts.

I am so hopeful that I will be free of this annoying craving for sex, and a high libido, which is most unpleasant.

I do take high doses of calcium supplement, so hope that this helps to keep bone strength; in any event, there are now new infusions that are given to women who have bone loss, so that if that is needed, it is a thing that might be done.

I so look forward to being T Free and a complete natural eunuch.

Although I never wanted castration, and it happened due to a long time medical reasons and complications, and I was very traumatized by losing my balls, and then becoming impotent, I am always trying to make the best of all of it, and look forward to pleasant things that may yet be in store for me.

I do admit however, that having no balls, and a small impotent penis, has its benefits, but I just absolutely dislike the side effects of the synthetic testosterone that I have been using .....

[Nathan74 (imported)]

I was having trouble staying asleep past 4-5 hours which really wears on you after about two weeks. So I took a full dose and the plan now is to taper off and to stop taking Anastrozole tablets every over day. I'm halving my dose this week from .6ml to .3ml of Testosterone Cypionate. Sleep is the problem so I need some time release melatonin which is something that I needed with T in my system. I'll likely have to double the dose to compensate until I my body gets used to not having testosterone and my sleep improves. I can always go on low dose E if I have problems. E also helps you keep weight off and lose it easily if you already gained some. I'll deal with it as it comes. There's a clinic nearby that would treat me no questions asked as a eunuch. It's all covered by my health insurance. I have copays for blood work and prescriptions which is entirely done at the gender clinic. I also have 3 years worth of injectable estradiol in a bug out bag. My T vial is almost empty and I can definitely benefit from not spending that money. I would rather put it in my gas tank and take a trip instead or put it towards a bill. I can go on low dose HRT at any time and then transfer it to a doctor within about a month so they can optimize it.

[Nathan74 (imported)]

As far as gender clinics go, I have one about 8 minutes from home with a fantastic full mind and body program. And a Planned Parenthood as the second choice. I get an email from them nearly every week and a phone call once in a while to see if I want to start seeing their gendering affirming care doctor and hormone program. I've had them call me in the middle of driving before. I was on a long waiting list until they got their facility going and now it's easy to get in with them too. I don't need them yet, I'm just exploring all my other options first.